venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈve-nə-məs 

1

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

venomous snakes

2

: full of venom: such as

a

: poisonous, envenomed

b

: noxious, pernicious

expose a venomous dope ring

—Don Porter

c

: spiteful, malevolent

venomous criticism

venomously adverb

venomousness noun

Synonyms

• poisonous
• poisoned
• poison

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake.

a venomous attack on his character

Recent Examples on the Web

Guests will learn to identify the most common snakes in Arkansas, including venomous ones. —Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2025

The University of Kentucky says the main types of venomous snakes found in the commonwealth are copperheads, pigmy rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes and western cottonmouths. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025

In one YouTube video, Stanberry holds a venomous coral snake, explaining the differences between the species and other similar-looking snakes. —Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

The Timber rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the four venomous snakes found in Tennessee, according to the state's Wildlife Resource Agency. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venimous, borrowed from Anglo-French venimus, venimous, from venim venom entry 1 + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

: having or producing venom

venomous snakes

venomously adverb

Medical Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

1

: poisonous

2

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

the vipers, pit vipers, and coral snakes are venomous